“Tradition is a thorny word in the tiny, fractious world of tap; unlike in modern dance, with its quest for the new, tap elders cast a grand shadow, and respect for the past is a powerful force…. While younger dancers hasten to stress this respect, some acknowledge impatience with the status quo, from lineup-style shows to a dependency on the festival circuit, which has played a crucial role in revitalizing tap.” And tappers in their 20s and 30s are moving from impatience to action.